New Orleans Zephyrs owner Don Beaver has had some discussions about the sale and relocation of the Triple-AAA franchise to Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, Zephyrs general manager Mike Schline confirmed to Nola.com on Monday morning.

But reports that the deal is done or close seem premature at this point. Schline, however, left the door open that the franchise that has been in New Orleans since 1993 could soon be gone.

“I spoke with Mr. Beaver this morning and he informed me that that group has shown some interest but they have had just very very preliminary discussions regarding any such thing,” Schline said. “It’s in an extremely preliminary stage and it’s nothing that would affect 2013 or for that matter the 2014 season. That’s all I know about it.

“Anything is for sale if the price is right,” he continued. “Don, if anybody shows serious interest in wanting to purchase the team, is going to have discussions. He has had plenty of discussions with people in years past and this is no different. They just decided to go public with it.”

Reports out of Houston and ballparkdigest.com have said the deal to relocate the Zephyrs franchise to Montgomery County, which is just north of Houston, could be worth over $20 million.

But the Zephyrs would have to break their lease agreement with SMG that runs through Sept, 30, 2016 for the use of Zephyr Field. SMG senior vice president Doug Thornton was traveling Monday and could not be reached for comment, but SMG director of business operations Evan Holmes said his office has not been contacted formally about the Zephyrs moving. SMG operates Zephyr Field.

It’s unclear at this point what it would cost the Zephyrs owners to break the lease.

“They haven’t come to us and said they are actively looking to move,” said Holmes. “So we are taking the position that we haven’t heard anything so we don’t expect them to go anywhere.”

The Louisiana Stadium and Sports District board has approved $1.8 million in capital outlay money to make repairs and improvements at Zephyr Field over the next two years with $800,000 of the work being done now.

“We’re doing what we can,” Holmes said. “Of course the wish list is always longer than the source of the funds list, so it’s a process of prioritizing and getting the most important things done first.”

The Zephyrs also have a player development contract with the Miami Marlins that runs through 2014. The Marlins and the Zephyrs played their first exhibition game at Zephyr Field on Saturday.